Following European settlement from 1837, the combined effects of grazing and unchecked clearing for timber and firewood had cleared the Southern Park Lands of nearly all native vegetation.
Photographs from 1865 show nothing but a bare expanse south of the city (apart from the rifle butts)

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However, ever since the 1880s, re-vegetation has been attempted in several different periods and still continues.

Firstly, to allow larger species to gain a foothold, smaller wattles were planted for shade and protection – which is what we might call today a shelterbelt strategy.

From late in the 20th century, however, there has been an increased awareness of the value of native plants and biodiversity. Accordingly, there's been some restoration of a woodlands environment in Veale Park / Walyu Yarta.

Walking across this field you will see to your left (to the east) a patch of quite thick vegetation or native bushland. Although you are in the open here, it is possible to take a side trip, and investigate a very narrow winding path through that dense bush.

If you're walking here in the summer you may notice how dry the grass is, in the southern part of Veale Park. They can still pose a risk of grassfires on days of extreme fire risk.

Continue walking south until you come to a belt of trees, running east-west across the Park. On the south side of this line of trees is one of several sporting fields in Park 21. But these fields weren't always used for sport.